The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has officially certified Arco Aviation Academy as an Approved Training Organization (ATO) for Remote Pilot Aircraft Systems (RPAS), allowing it to offer accredited drone pilot training in Nigeria.
Announced on Thursday, June 5, 2025, through the NCAA’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle, the certification marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s effort to deepen technical expertise in the fast-growing drone sector. The approval aligns with the authority’s broader objective of strengthening local capacity in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) operations.
The academy was certified after successfully completing a rigorous five-phase approval process and meeting all requirements set out in the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs) Part 21. Approved RPAS courses include the Basic Remote Pilot Course, the Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) Course, and the Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Course.
At a presentation ceremony held at the NCAA headquarters in Abuja, the Director General of Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo, commended Arco Aviation Academy for its full regulatory compliance and urged it to maintain the standards that earned it the certification. He also reiterated the NCAA’s commitment to providing continuous oversight and support to the academy as it begins operations.
The certification team, led by Capt. Maikano T.W., praised the academy’s preparedness, while the Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards, Engr. Godwin Balang, described the achievement as a critical step for human capital development in Nigeria’s aviation industry.
Representing Arco Aviation Academy, Managing Director Okosubide Mozimo expressed gratitude to the NCAA and acknowledged Engr. Balang’s longstanding support. The Accountable Manager, Mr. Wisdom Erae, reaffirmed the academy’s dedication to upholding safety standards and delivering high-quality training.
The NCAA stated that its evaluation covered essential criteria such as administrative structure, instructional materials, teaching methods, record management systems, and internal quality control mechanisms.
With this certification, Arco Aviation Academy joins a small group of institutions licensed to train drone pilots in Nigeria, contributing to the safe integration of unmanned aircraft into national airspace and expanding opportunities in the country’s emerging drone ecosystem.
